The 2015 Taipei Lantern Festival lanterns are unveiled – the “Happy Sheep” can stand, sit, and even do handstands!

▲The 2015 Taipei Lantern Festival mini lantern “Happy Sheep.” (Photo / Courtesy ofTaipei City Government website)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The 2015 Taipei Lantern Festival is about to begin. Starting February 14, the “Love 'Embrace the Sea of Lights” display on Zhongshan North Road Sections 2-3 will be the first to light up. The main exhibition area will run from February 27 to March 8 at the Taipei Expo Park (Yuanshan), offering a 10-day lantern art feast. And now, the much-anticipated mini lantern “Happy Sheep” for both kids and adults has been officially revealed. From 1 PM on March 1 to March 2, it will appear in 12 districts of Taipei City. For the first time, the Taipei Expo Park (Yuanshan) will distribute the mini lanterns over a five-day period, from March 1 to 5, at the Long Corridor Plaza in the park. Quantities are limited and will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis.

This year’s Taipei Lantern Festival mini lantern “Happy Sheep” features an overall magical and vibrant pink-purple color scheme. Designer Hong Shin-fu and his team applied their creativity by using the traditional craft techniques of folk opera puppets in paper art. They created an innovative mini lantern with flexible and movable limbs. The “Happy Sheep” can stand, sit, do handstands, or even run — breaking the limitation of traditional zodiac-themed lanterns that only have one fixed pose. Children can choose their favorite “Happy Sheep” based on their mood and preference to celebrate the New Year together!

For detailed distribution locations, please visitthe 2015 Taipei Lantern Festival event website.